The BRAIN Initiative is marking a milestone—10 years of advancing neuroscience and neurotechnology research by funding innovative projects. As part of a rotating series of blog posts, the directors of the BRAIN Initiative-partnering NIH Institutes and Centers share their voice and perspectives on the impact BRAIN has made on their respective missions—and vice versa.
By Richard J. Hodes, MD, Director
How has the National Institute on Aging (NIA) participated in the NIH BRAIN Initiative?
NIA is the primary U.S. federal agency that supports and conducts research on brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We are proud to be a part of the BRAIN Initiative that has achieved remarkable success over the past 10 years. In fiscal year 2024, NIA has contributed nearly $10 million to fund combined research grants and contracts to BRAIN Initiative efforts. Alongside many of our NIH colleagues, several NIA staff and I are eager to help shape an innovative road map for future collaborative BRAIN Initiative research, funding opportunities, and scientific workshops—in particular, those that expand understanding of the roles of aging and dementia on the brain.
What major BRAIN-funded scientific advancements or conversations has NIA been part of?
Mapping the brain’s cellular and molecular pathways can help provide a framework for better understanding normal brain function as well as how brain diseases like dementia develop. Today, through BRAIN Initiative investments, the BRAIN Initiative Cell Census Network (BICCN) and the BRAIN Initiative Cell Atlas Network (BICAN) are giving us high-resolution atlases. These powerful collections of precise maps can define and characterize the diversity of brain cell types and guide a framework to study brain function and disorders in animals and humans. One tremendous example is the Alzheimer’s Disease Multimodal Atlas Projects (AD-MAP) and the Seattle Alzheimer’s Disease Brain Cell Atlas (SEA-AD). These collaborations with BRAIN are identifying brain cell types important in Alzheimer’s disease. What we—and the entire scientific community—learn from these powerful resources will deepen our understanding of the molecular and cellular pathways involved in Alzheimer’s as it progresses from early-stage to severe disease.
Beyond identifying brain cells and pathways involved in dementia, it is critical to be able to target brain cells to test potential therapies. To help monitor and modify brain cells for research purposes more precisely, NIA is building on the Armamentarium for Precision Brain Cell Access and other new Tools and Technologies for Brain Cells and Circuits emerging from BRAIN. These efforts will provide the next generation of targeted treatments that go beyond managing symptoms as is now mainly the case.
How do NIA’s research priorities align with the NIH BRAIN Initiative?
The BRAIN Initiative is a natural partner for NIA. For example, BRAIN aligns with our strategic research goal to improve understanding of the aging brain and support evidence-based strategies to maintain and enhance cognitive, emotional, sensory, and motor function. The BRAIN Initiative is accelerating the development of innovative neurotechnologies to probe brain function spatially and over time. This new and dynamic approach is a game-changer, enabling analysis of the entire brain, including the contribution of individual cells and neural circuits. This knowledge will help us understand both normal cognitive aging as well as the roots of neurodegenerative conditions including but not limited to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.
How has the BRAIN Initiative advanced or shaped our mission?
NIA is proud to be part of the BRAIN Initiative, and resources such as AD-MAP and SEA-AD are designed to help shape a future of innovation that will benefit older adults across our nation as well as globally. In addition to the critical tools we are developing, our partnership with BRAIN also aligns with NIA’s focus on building a strong, diverse scientific workforce in neuroscience and aging. For example, NIA participates in the BRAIN Initiative Advanced Career Transition Award to Promote Diversity (K99/R00). Through this funding opportunity, NIA enables postdoctoral scientists whose research falls within the priority areas of BRAIN to transition into their first faculty position and launch independent careers. The program is designed to be more flexible than traditional NIH K99/R00 awards, an important characteristic for aging research, which can take many years to complete. We look forward to future decades of continued progress and partnership with the BRAIN Initiative as it continues to deliver on its promise to revolutionize neuroscience research and bring cures for brain disorders. Learn more about NIA research.
Image: Richard J. Hodes, MD, Director, NIA